(a) whether NABARD has been implementing a medium term strategic action plan under
Refinance support under Self Help Group Linkage Programme in various States, particularly
in Karnataka and Maharashtra;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the State-wise names of banks sponsored by NABARD; and
(c) the achievements of the Steheme and the number of persons benefited therefrom?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI V. DHANANJAYA KUMAR):
(a) and (b) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has reported
that it has been implementing strategic action plan for linking Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
with banks in all the States including Karnataka and Maharashtra. To effectively credit
link SHGs with banks, NABARD has been adopting various strategies which include providing
cent per cent refinance assistance to banks at an interest rate of 6.5 per cent per annum
against their financing of SHGs, providing number of training and exposure programme,
supporting Nongovernment Organizations in forming, nurturing and monitoring SHGs, providing
financial and technical support to micro finance partner institutions for promoting and
credit linking of SHGs, providing encouragement to Regional Rural Banks and Cooperatives
to take on the role of Self Help Promoting Institutions, etc. NABARD has reported that the
bank-wise details of SHGs linked are not available. However, the details of the state-wise
cumulative number of HSGs linked with banks and the cumulative bank loan provided as on 31st
March, 2000 are indicated in the attached statement.
(c) As reported by NABARD, the cumulative number of SHGs financed by banks stood at
95,000 as on 31st March, 2000, covering about 16 lakh poor families with bank credit.
It is expected that about 8 million persons have benefited under the programme.